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Is It Funny?

This lesson asks students to reflect on their use of comedy and to understand that what they intend to be a ‘funny joke’, might not be interpreted as funny by someone else.

Learning intentions:

  • Reflect on their own use of comedy
  • Understand the difference between intent and impact
  • Develop skills in respectful humour and how it applies online and offline

Digital Educator: Charlie

  • 12-30 learners

    Class size

  • 7+

    Year Level

  • 40-60 minutes

    Course duration

  • Nil

    Student Handouts

    Preparing for the lesson

    Information
    Resources

    ACHPE Objectives

    UNESCO Objectives

    Safety & Wellbeing

    Sequence
    Extension
    In this Is It Funny? lesson, students will be introduced to the concepts of impact and intent.

    They will consider their own views on what is (or isn’t) funny by watching a short video of Mr Bean. They will demonstrate and share their opinions in a small group on the purpose of comedy and how it should make people feel.  The class will then work together to consider the respectful skills needed to ensure that jokes are funny and not harmful.

    Each lesson ends with a consolidation activity, inviting students to list 1 thing they have learnt from the lesson, 1 thing they already knew, 1 piece of advice they would share with a friend, and 1 adult or organisation that would be helpful in relation to the lesson topic.  

    Facilitator Printouts

    Student Printouts

    There are no student printouts for this lesson. 
    AC9HP8P04: Examine the roles of respect, empathy, power and coercion in developing respectful relationships.
    • Examining what constitutes disrespectful, harmful or violent behaviour within peer, family and intimate relationships.  


    AC9HP8P05: Investigate strategies that influence how communities value diversity and propose actions they can take to promote inclusion in their communities.
    • Investigating how respecting diversity and challenging racism, sexism, ableism and homophobia influence individual and community health and wellbeing.
    Key concept 1: Relationships
    1.3 Tolerance, Inclusion and Respect
    • Key idea: It is disrespectful and hurtful to harass or bully anyone on the basis of their social, economic or health status, ethnicity, race, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other differences.
    1. Challenge students to write jokes that are both funny and respectful. 
    2. Research the history of comedy and the cultural differences and similarities. 
    • This lesson can be challenging for students who are regularly made fun of or who hold an identity that is used in a lot of social jokes. 
    • It can also be difficult for students who have a lot of privilege and feel entitled to make jokes about people, no matter how harmful.
    • It is important to monitor and control discussions to ensure that the lesson isn't used as an opportunity to further bully students. 

    Ideally, you will have scope to deliver all of the lessons in your program. However we understand that many schools have limited capacity to do so. Should you find yourself having to implement part of this program, we have provided a suggested sequence of lessons within the broader skills and knowledge categories of relationship, consent, gender, and cybersafety. We recommend delivering at least one lesson from each category.

    1. Group Agreements & Pod Mapping should be the first lesson as per best practice.
    2. Puberty & Reproduction: A Refresher should be delivered early in the program to ensure students have an understanding of the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty including menstruation and sperm production.

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